A special live performance and lecture for the Medieval Lecture Series

The National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, Kildare Street continues to delve into the soundtrack of the Middle Ages this Wednesday evening at 6.30pm, with a special live performance and lecture as part of its Medieval Lecture Series.

Maria Hufenus, Librarian, at the Monastery of St. Gallen, Switzerland will give an illustrated lecture on the rich heritage of Irish manuscripts, including music manuscripts, which are among the oldest in the world. She will be joined by Dr. Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin, Traditional Singer in residence at the Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry Queen’s University Belfast, who will sing some of her own setting of poems and marginalia from Early Irish manuscripts, together with translations by Seamus Heaney and Ciaran Carson.

Lorraine Comer, Head of Education at the National Museum of Ireland, said, “When we seek to understand who we are and where we come from, we explore our buildings, artefacts, rituals, stories and music. The current series of lectures and talks will captivate people’s imagination and interest in the cultural resources at the NMI. The variety of speakers and performers invited to be part of this programme range from the fields of military history to medieval music. They reflect the wealth of historical and archaeological artefacts we have on display in the NMI. At the heart of this series is a commitment to providing the public with opportunities to further understand and enjoy their rich cultural heritage.”

To find out more information about any of these events, contact the Education and Outreach Department at the National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street at e-mail bookingsks@museum.ie or telephone 01 6486 332.

For further press information please contact:

Elizabeth Evensen

Marketing Department, National Museum of Ireland

Tel: 01 - 648 6427 Mob: 087 9031690

E-Mail: eevensen@museum.ie

Website: www.museum.ie

Notes to Editor

· Medieval Music lecture series is running throughout February and March and uncovers the integral role of music in religious, social and political contexts of the age and experience the powerful influence it still possesses today.

· The abbey at St. Gallen in Switzerland was founded around 613 by an Irish monk,

· Gallus. Today, the library at the abbey hold one of the richest collections of medieval manuscripts in the world.

Having heard about the illustrious history of the early Irish harp, a limited number of participants will have the opportunity to try out this extraordinary instrument themselves. Booking is essential.